Method of and apparatus for use in opening flattened seamless bands



' April 2, 1957 s. T. CARTER ,78

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN OPENING FLATTENED SEAMLESS BANDS Filed Aug. 5. 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 oooo$ooo jzzflawfar idn'gy'j. larzer ie 6; a

jiifVff s. T. CARTER 2,787,104 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN OPENING FLATTENED SEAMLESS BANDS April 2, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 5. 1953 f/Zveaiar 5:217:92. l'a'rzer a United States Patent METHQD OF AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN OPEN- I IN G FLATTENED SEAMLESS BANDS Sidney T. Carter, Shrewsbury, Mass., assignor to Geo. J. Meyer Manufacturing Co., Cutlahy, Wis., 21 corporation of Wisconsin Application August 5, 1953, Serial No. 372,588

8 Claims. or. 53-292 This invention pertains to banding and more especially to a method of and a machine for opening flattened seamless bands preparatory to applying them to containers, for example, to the necks of bottles.

It has heretofore been proposed to take a flattened seamless band from a magazine and by means of suction cups applied to the opposite sides of the band to open the latter preparatory to slipping it over the container. It has also bee proposed to provide the band material in the form of a ribbon of flattened seamless tubing and to advance the ribbon intermittently into the field of action of cutting means which cuts a predetermined length sufficient to form a band of a desired width, the latter then being opened by the application of suction cups to its opposite sides. Since bands of ditierent widths (that is to say diflerent axial lengths) are used on various sizes or types of container, the length cut from the ribbon of handing material may vary substantially from time to time, and because of this variation in length, difliculty has been experienced when using suction cups of customary prior types which have a fixed area within which the suction is effective. Difliculty has also been experienced in separating the plies of a flattened band due to the pressure of the atmosphere against its outer surface.

The present invention is herein illustrated by way of example as embodied in apparatus of the last named type, wherein the bands are cut one by one from a length of banding material and having provision for cutting off bands of different widths, and is directed especially to the provision of a novel suction cup so designed as etfectively to grip a band length of the flattened ribbon regardless of the axial length of the band which is severed from the ribbon. A further object of the invention is to provide a novel suction cup of a length, longitudinally of the ribbon, at least as great as the axial length of the widest band which is to be applied by the machine but which is also capable of handling the narrowest bands which may be applied by the machine as well as the bands of maximum width. A further object is to provide an improved suction cup having an internal chamber wherein suction is maintained, at least during the period while the suction cup is gripping the band, and wherein that wall of the chamber which contacts the band is provided with a longitudinally extending series of small holes or suction ports.

A further object is to provide a novel form of suction cup having a series of suction ports extending lengthwise of the ribbon, in that face of the cup which contacts the ribbon, and with means of varying the number of said ports which at any time are eifective, thereby to adapt the cup to the handling of bands of different axial lengths.

2,787,104 Patented Apr. 2, 1957 A further object is to provide a suction cup having the above novel characteristics and which in addition thereto has a concave surface for engagement with the band. A further object is to provide a novel method of opening such flattened bands. Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in the following more detailed description and by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation partly in vertical section, illustrative of a machine of the type to which the present invention pertains and showing suction cups embodying the present invention, the cups being shown as separated to admit the depending end of the ribbon between them;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic fragmentary elevation partly in vertical section and to much larged scale than Fig. 1, showing the opposed suction cups positioned to grip a revised length of the ribbon, and showing the relative location of the cup and the cutting means;

Fig. 3 is an elevation showing that face of the improved suction cup which engages the banding material;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the suction cup shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an axial section through an adjustable plug constituting an element of the improved suction cup;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view, its enlarged scale, illustrating a portion of the flattened banding material;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a band after it has been cut from the ribbon and opened;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of p a bottle having a band applied to its neck; l

Fig. 10 is a composite elevation, showing a plurality of interchangeable plugs of different lengths;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a plug of modified length;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic plan view, showing the banding material in horizontal section, showing the suction heads at their point of nearest approach; and

Fig. 13 is a vertical section, on the line 13-13 of Fig. 12, but showing the suction heads at that point in their approach at which the suction first begins to atfect the banding material.

As above noted, the invention relates to apparatus for applying seamless bands to containers. As illustrative of sucha band and container, there is shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings a container C in the form of a bottle, having applied to its upper end of its neck a band B of the type referred to. These bands are customarily of a celluloisic material which is wet with a suitable -liquid just before it is slipped onto the container, and which, in drying, shrinks so. as tightly to embrace the container. customarily, the band-forming material is a length of seamless tube, flattened to form a two-ply ribbon R (Fig. 7) which in this form is conveniently wound upon a reel or spool and in this packaged condition, is delivered to the band-applying machine. The machine is then re quired to cut off a length from the ribbon appropriate to form a band of the desired axial width, and then to open out the severed length as shown at B (Fig. 8) so that it may be slipped endwise over the bottle neck.

Fig. 1 illustrates, by way of example, certain of the elements of a machine adapted to perform the above operation. in this machine, the ribbon R of flattened seamless tubing, is drawn ofi. from a supply spool or reel, (not shown) and passes over an idler roll 10 and p then vertically down through a passage formed in a fixed vertical guide 11, This guide has slots in its opposite sides'leading into the passage and oppositely turning rolls 13, and 14 having portions of their peripheries entering into these slots so as to grip between them the ribbon R extending downwardly through the passage. One at least of these rolls is power-driven by intermittently-acting means of any suitable type so that at each successive partial rotation of the rolls, the ribbon is ad- ,vanced ,a corresponding predetermined distance so that its lower end portion depends from the :lower end of the guide 11, as illustrated for example, in Fig. l.

Iumachines of this .type, means is sometimes provided for varying the arc of rotation of the feed roll at will thereby to vary the length of ribbon which .is advanced during each. cycle of operation, thereby to permit the machine to form bands of different predetermined axial widths. As illustrated in :Fig. 1, the machine comprises azhold-back roll 15 a portion of whose periphery extends through a ,slotin the guide 11 so as to engage the ribbon .R, .this roll being mounted on a spring arm .16 and acting .to prevent clogging of the passage by the ribbon ,in the event for example, that the supply reel overruns and advances the ribbon too rapidly toward the passage in the guide 11.

.As the lower end portion of the ribbon is advanced .by the feed means so as to depend from the lower end of the guide 11, ,its end passes between a fixed blade 17 and a movable cutting blade 18, and also between the suction cups K and K which, during the downward feed movement of the ribbon, are spaced apart as shown in Fig. 1. At the completion of the downward advance of the ribbon, the cups K and K are moved toward each other, by means well known to those skilled in this art but not here illustrated, so as to clamp the depending end portion of the ribbon between them, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and then movable blade 18 is advanced so as to sever a band-forming length of the ribbon, the movable blade then being retracted to its normal position. Suction is now established in the suction :cups to cause the opp site plies .of the ribbon to cling to the respective cups and the latter are then separated so as to :open the length of ribbon .to form an approximately circular band as illustrated in Fig. 8. Thereafter by appropriate means with which the present invention is not concerned, the opened band is slipped down over the neck of the bottle C (Fig. 9 or other container, and in drying, shrinks was to embrace the container tightly.

The cups K and K are of novel construction, but since they are alike, a description of one of these cups will suflice. Referring to Figs. 2 to 5, the cup K is a casting, vertically elongated and having a hollow boss 20 for the reception of a rod 21 which supports the cup and which imparts the desired horizontal motion to the cup. Desirably, as shown, the boss 20 is split and has ears provided with openings 20a (Fig. for the reception of clamping bolts by means of which the socket may be .clamped firmly to the rod 21.

At the opposite side of the cup from the boss 20, the front wall 22 of the cup has a vertically elongate workcontac-ting face 22a which is preferably cylindrically curved with its axis of curvature vertical, the radius of curvature being approximately that of the band B when fully opened.

Within the cup is a vertically elongate chamber 23 (Figs. 2 and 4) open at its lower end and preferably cylindrical with its axis vertical. The rear wall 24 (Fig. 4) of this chamber is provided, near the upper end of the cup, with a screw-threaded bore 25 which receives a nipple 26 (Fig. 2) to which one end of flexible suction pipe 27 is connected, this pipe leading to a source of sub-atmospheric pressure, for example a pump or suction chamber, with appropriate means, not here shown, for establishing and breaking suction within the pipe 27 at the desired times in the cycle of operation, all as customar'ily known in this art.

The front wall 22 of the chamber 23 is provided with a vertical row of spaced suction ports 28 leading from the chamber 23 to the outer surface of the wall 22. This row of ports 28 is approximately as long as the axial length of longest band which is to be formed. In order that suction may be established in the chamber 23, it is necessary to close the lower end of the latter and for this purpose, a plug P (Figs. 1, 2 and 6) is arranged to be fitted into the lower end of the chamber 23. If a short plug beemployed, it may be arranged to close the extreme lower end of the chamber 23 below the lowest of the ports 28 so that it will not block any of these ports. Then all of the ports are effective and a band of maximum axial length can be gripped .by the suction cup. However, if a band of lesser thanmaximum length is to be applied, it becomes necessary to close those of the ports 28 which arebelow the lower edge of the depending end of the ribbon (otherwise, air would enter through those ports which are not covered by the ribbon and would thus break the suction in the chamber 23). Within the limits of its length, the plug P may be adjusted up and down to cover one .or .several of the ports 28 at the lower portion :of the row. To prevent leakage around the plug, the latter may be provided with circumferential grooves containing packing material for example, rubber ringsN. The frictional engagement of the plug with the wall of the chamber .23 may be suflicient to maintain the plug in the desired adjusted position, but a radially projecting pin G may be provided to limit inward movement .of the plugin response to suction, the pin G also afliording means whereby the plug may be withdrawn. If desired, :the wall of the cup may be provided with a screw-threaded hole for the reception of a set screw S (Fig. 1) forholding the plug in adjusted position.

If there is sufiicient room below the lower end of the suction cup, it may be possible to employ a plug long enough to permit its adjustment to close any desired number of the ports 2.8. However, in the event that there is insufficient room below the cup to accommodate a long plug, then plugs P, P1, P2, etc. (Fig. 10) of different lengths may be provided, such plugs being interchangeable and each one designed to cover or block a certain number of the ports .28, the lengths of the several plugs varying in inverse ratio to the lengths of the .bands which are to be formed. However, it is not necessary to provide as many plugs as there are ports because each plugmay be adjusted so as to close a varying number of ports within .a certain range according to its length and before its lower end uncovers the lowermost port.

Other equivalent means may be provided for closing more or less of the ports 28. .For example,.-as illustrated in Fig. 11, a sleeve G (closed at its lower'end) may be provided which fits snugly but rotatably within the chamber 23, and which at its lower portion has a knurled flange F by means of which it may be turned. The wall of this sleeve is cut away in step formation as illustrated at al, a2 and a3 respectively so arranged that by turning the sleeve to various positions, a varying number of the ports 28 will be closed.

By the use of a suction cup of the type herein disclosed, it is possible firmly .to grip a band of an axial length substantially the equal to the vertical dimension of the cup and likewise to grip a .band of any lesser length.

The mechanism .is so designed that when the cups K and K are at their nearest point of approach their inner faces are spaced apart a distance T (Fig. 12) such that the distance T equals approximately 1 /2 times the thickness of the flattened banding material R.

The plugs P are arranged so that they close all ports below those which are at the level of the lower edge of the length of banding material at the end of the downward feed motion of the latter. As the cups K and K approach, with suction established at the ports 28, an

upward flow of air is created between the lower parts of the cups, directly against the lower edge of the band of material, the flow diverging to right and left toward the ports 28. This air flow tends to enter between the plies and so initiates separation of the lower edges of the opposed plies of the flattened banding material as indicated at F (Fig. 13). As the cups continue to approach, the opposed plies of the banding material are gradually picked apart and drawn into engagement with the surface 22 of the cups, it being noted that as the lower portions of the plies contact the faces 22**, they close the lower ports thus increasing the suction effect at the upper parts. Since the cups stop while still spaced apart (Fig. 12), the separated plies of banding material are not forced together again by the cups. Thus, although the opposite plies of the banding material are in actual contact as the material is fed betweeen the cups, the entry of air between the plies, which is necessary to allow them to be pulled apart, is accomplished in a very simple but reliable manner and without necessitating complication of the banding machine or the use of a special banding material.

While certain desirable embodiments of the invention have herein been illustrated and described by way of example, it is to be understood that the invention is broadly inclusive of any and all modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: I

1. A suction cup for use in a banding machine of the kind wherein a band-forming length of flattened seamless tubular material is introduced between two movable suction cups which are disposed closely adjacent to and at opposite sides of the length of banding material while suction is established within the cups, said suction cup having a surface for contact with the length of banding material, the cup having an elongate row of suction ports opening at said surface, and means for varying the number of said ports which at any time are effective.

2. A suction cup for use in a banding machine of the kind wherein a band-forming length of flattened, seamless, tubular banding material is opened out to approximately circular contour by the action of two opposed suction cups between which the band-forming length of material is introduced, said suction cup having an elongate interior chamber wherein sub-atmospheric pressure may be established, said chamber having a rigid wall whose outer surface is designed to contact the length of banding material, the wall having a plurality of suction ports extending from said chamber to said surface, the ports in said wall being arranged in a row extending longitudinally of said chamber, and a movable part within said chamber which is adjustable for closing one or more ports of said row.

3. A suction cup for use in a banding machine of the kind wherein a band-forming length of flattened, seamless, tubular banding material is opened out to approximately circular contour by the action of opposed suction cups, said suction cup having an elongate substantially cylindrical chamber having a rigid wall whose outer surface is designed to contact the length of banding material, the cup having a row of suction ports extending through said wall from said chamber, the row of ports being parallel to the axis of the chamber, and a cylindrical plug adjustable lengthwise of the chamber from one end of the row toward the other end thereby to occlude a selected number of the ports of said row.

4. A suction cup for use in a banding machine of the kind wherein a band-forming length of flattened, seamless, tubular banding material is opened out to approximately circular contour by the action of opposed suction cups, said suction cup having an elongate substantially cylindrical interior chamber having a rigid wall whose outer surface is designed to contact the length of banding material, the cup having a row of suction ports extending through said wall from said chamber, the row of ports being parallel to the axis of the chamber, and means for varying the number of effective ports in said row comprising a plurality of interchangeable cylindrical plugs of different lengths, any selected one of which may be introduced into the chamber from one end of the latter thereby to block a predetermined number of said ports.

5. In a banding machine of the kind wherein intermittently acting feed means advances the end of a ribbon of flattened, seamless, tubular banding material into the field of action of cutting means and having means for adjusting the feed means thereby to vary at will the length of material which is severed from the ribbon by the cutting means so as to form bands of different axial lengths, in combination, horizontally movable suction cups between which that end portion of the ribbon which is to be cut off is advanced downwardly by the feed means, each cup having an interior, cylindrical, elongate chamber of a length, measured longitudinally of the ribbon, at least as great as the axial length of the widest band to be formed, each cup having a vertical row of suction ports approximating the axial length of said widest band, all of the ports of said row normally communicating with said chamber; means for withdrawing air from the upper end of the chamber, and normally stationary means for closing the lower end of the chamber, said closure means being adjustable upwardly within the chamber thereby to close a selected number of the ports at the lower portion of said row.

6. In a banding machine of the kind where intermittently acting feed means advances the end of a length of flattened, seamless tubular banding material into the field of action of cutting means, and having means for adjusting the feed means thereby to vary, at will, the length of material which is severed from the ribbon by the cutting means thereby to form bands of different axial lengths, in combination suction cups between which that end portion of the ribbon which is to be cut off is delivered by the feed means, each cup having an interior chamber which is elongate in the direction of the axis of the band-forming length which is to be severed from the ribbon, each cup having a row of suction ports approximating the axial length of the widest band, said ports extending through one wall of said chamber and the row of ports being substantially parallel to the axis of the band-forming length which is severed from the ribbon, and adjustable means for reducing the effective length of said chamber to correspond to the axial length of bands of less than the maximum width, said means for varying the effective length of the chamber consisting of a plurality of interchangeable plugs of different lengths, any selected one of which may be introduced into the lower end of the chamber and thereby, in accordance with its length, closing a predetermined number of the ports of said row.

7. Apparatus for use in opening a flattened, seamless band in preparation for applying it to a bottle neck, said apparatus comprising means for supporting said flattened band so that one end thereof is unconfined, means for creating a flow of air, and means so directing said air flow that it impinges directly against the exposed edge of said end of the band and tends to enter between the opposed plies of the band thereby to initiate separation of said plies.

8. Apparatus for use in opening a flattened, seamless band in preparation for applying it to a bottle neck, said apparatus comprising means for supporting the band so that its lower end is unconfined, horizontally moving vertically elongate parts each having a row of suction ports extending lengthwise of the band, the lowest port of each series being spaced from the lower end of the corresponding moving part, means for moving said parts toward the band from opposite sides while the extreme end of the band is approximately at the location of the last eife'ctive port of :the series, means for establishing suction at the ports :where'by, as said parts approach, a curlcnt'. of airis iindu'ced tofi'ow upwardly' between the "imperf ora'te lawenportionsnfihe opposed parts so as to impinge upon Ih61OWE1 edge of ithe band i and thereby initiate separation .of its :constituent plies, -the=means for moving said parts toward each other being so constructed :and arranged 'as 10 terminate approach of said parts While they are stilhseparatcd 1a distanceexceeding the thicknessnf-the flattened rband.

References Cited in -the *ffile of this patent UNITED :STATES PATENTS Ware -JFeb. 7, 1928 Mm hoff "Feb. 9, 1937 .:Sch1:a.mm Dec. 4, -1945 Alien et a1. m. Dec. 25, 1 951 ffi acy 'et a1. Mar. 3, 1955 :Allen et 'al. @ct. :'6,=1'9'53 Tracy .Apr. 112, 1955 

